Interview: Tiiva and Luan Mei Discuss Their Remix to "Yellow"
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“Self discovery in popular culture comes from dismantling the gender norms that we have been surrounded by for so long, and to do that means establishing these identities, allowing those voices to be heard, and asking questions so that those queer voices have a platform to speak.”
“Thinking about it from the outside and analysing it, when I’m writing a song, I get wrapped in a ‘’bubble’’ with myself and with all the possible inspirations (either objects, feelings, colours, experiences, words, etc) that I have had so far in my life until that moment. ”
Do you think that queer love stories underrepresented in music as they are in film? What’s the importance of having these voices for our youth, and how can it help facilitate self discovery?
Tiiva: I'm so glad that you asked this. I feel that queer love stories are still underrepresented and this is one of the reasons i wanted to make this remix. Hearing any love song, people make assumptions about the gender of who is singing or who it’s about, and those assumptions are so ingrained in our society.
I don’t set out to write queer songs, it’s just a part of who I am so it feels inevitable. It’s important to me that the songs can be received as queer offerings but I don’t need them to be defined by this.
Self discovery in popular culture comes from dismantling the gender norms that we have been surrounded by for so long, and to do that means establishing these identities, allowing those voices to be heard, and asking questions so that those queer voices have a platform to speak.
Self discovery as a young queer person could come from hearing a cool love song and allowing the message of love to come forward, enjoying it and not feeling so conscious about the gender within. It’s complicated because I want my queerness to come across in everything I make, it’s an important part of my identity, and at the same time I want the music to speak as though being queer isn’t anything different and wouldn’t need to be mentioned.
Just like gender can bend on a spectrum, you’ve described your music in different ways, like jazzy, poppy, mellow, and sweet. This remix of the original “Yellow” is choppier, with a rhythm that colors outside the lines. The untouched version feels more innocent and vulnerable, almost. What mood or comment would you say the remix is adding to the song?
Tiiva: I usually go pretty hard with chopping and tearing stuff up in remixes, I cut up and re tuned a lot of Luan’s vocals to create a pattern, adding in some drums and loads of percussive samples. I usually make the beats from scratch, based on the emotion of the song, to let the main vocal come through.
The bass is a juno 106 (for anyone asking) and I included a few field recorded samples in there too. I wanted to make something that felt darker, that allowed Luan’s beautiful vocals to sit and I guess make a soundscape that takes you on the same kind of emotive journey I went on when I first heard the original song.
Luan, you’ve previously said that you don’t think about what genre a song will be when you’re writing it, and that songwriting itself quite personal. How do you get inspiration for those diverse melodies and chord progressions, and in your eyes, what makes the songwriting process so intimate?
Luan: Definitely, in my personal case, inspiration comes from many different ‘’sources’’. During my songwriting process, I’m not consciously aware of what is inspiring me in that moment, if that makes sense. Thinking about it from the outside and analysing it, when I’m writing a song, I get wrapped in a ‘’bubble’’ with myself and with all the possible inspirations (either objects, feelings, colours, experiences, words, etc) that I have had so far in my life until that moment.
In relation to melodies and chords, it’s all about improvisation and natural instinct. I like playing chords around, searching for different sounds/progressions which are colourful for me, attractive. Once that foundation is solid, I improvise on top of the chord progression, playing with melodic rhythms, visualizing how the melody moves up, low or stays flat.
Within that process there’s not only a single element of inspiration. It’s a whole unique sensation, chords and melodies have different colours and textures, which will lead the song to say one thing or another depending on the overall ‘painting’ of the instrumental, seeing as a canvas. As for example, a chord progression might sound blue/green for me and evoke a feeling of distance, thinking about the sea and who it is related to. From there, lyrics come on their own when I’m thinking strongly about a person, experience or my own thoughts.
Music-wise I let it flow, I never ever restrict it to any genre or type of melodies/rhythm, everything is welcome as I personally think that different genres could mean different ways of approaching moods and that is what it’s all about, letting yourself create without boundaries.
During the pandemic, how have you been staying busy and inspired? Is the music making process easier or harder with our new normal? Is it a coping mechanism for mental health at this precarious time?
Tiiva: I’ve been making a lot of remixes which has been so much fun, and also has made me feel really connected with other producers and artists. It’s felt a lovely and personal way to engage during this time and I’m so happy to be creating and meeting people along the way. I’ve also been planning for the release of my next single in March which feels exciting.
I’m happy to get to write and feel that it’s ok to engage with the more difficult emotions, and hopefully make something honest at the end of it. Writing music is always a coping mechanism for me, and I have written a bunch of songs that came directly from being in the lowest places, but that’s why music is great, it’s part of my healing process.
Luan, your instagram is dotted with images of you playing different instruments, from guitar to brass instruments. To both of you: what’s your favorite instrument to play and why?
Luan: So far I have to say that the saxophone is so much fun to play (and almost my fav one) even though my neighbours probably hate me and it’s not only quite complicated to play properly but it’s so difficult to find a place and moment to do it. The sound the saxophone makes is huge but sweet and the same time, and I absolutely love it. It’s like it says ‘’Hey! I’m here, listen to me!’’ and that’s great.
Nevertheless, my lovely electric guitar is my number one and I think it will be forever. I’ve been playing guitar for 10 years already and I never get tired of it. I’m currently learning loads about pedals and all the almost infinite amount of different sounds that you can get out of it. Guitar is definitely the love of my life, always with me on stage. I don’t remember not knowing how to play guitar and I could never ever picture myself without it.
Tiiva: My favourite instrument to play is maybe the violin if we’re in a pub with whisky, the synth if i’m being dead existential in a studio, guitar to serenade someone, maybe piano if i’m alone and it’s quiet with just the blustery wind outside the window. Course i could be extra and just say that the best instruments are our bodies, but I haven't had any wine so… depends on my mood.
What was some music that helped you discover yourself and your identity as part of the LGBTQI community? What role did music have in your own personal process of shaping your self-identity?
Tiiva: Tegan and Sara, Peaches, Planningtorock, Dorian Electra, Christine and The Queens, Mykki Blanco, Hercules and Love affair, Kim Petras, Lil Nas X, Perfume Genius. Then all the bangers that you’d listen to at queer nights. Dalston Superstore and queer venues that are important to our community, I miss dancing and i miss these queer parties!
Music has always shaped who i want to be, and where i’m going, it’s saved me at the lowest points and is always a way of capturing the best moments too. The influences of queer music, culture and community is so entwined with everything I write, and my identity, I’d probably challenge you to spot the heteronormative influences in there…. There’s no way you could :D